OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 75, 26 September 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. E. N. G. POULTON

The death occurred in Wellington last night of Mr. E. N. G. Poulton, C.8.E., private secretary to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry), at the age of 63. During his long career in the Public Service 'Mr. Poulton served with 11 different New Zealand Governments, and he held the distinction of. being private secretary, to a record . number of* Ministers ■ of * the Crown. ■ - - '

Mr. Poulton was born in Wellington and was educated at The Terrace School and Cornford's Private School. He joined the literary staff of the "Evening Post", in 1898, and after experience in a similar capacity on the "New Zealand Herald" and "New Zealand. Times" was, appointed a private secretary to the Seddon government in 1902. 'At one stage he was secretary to Sir James Carroll. While serving as secretary to the Hon. Dr. (afterwards Sir John) Firidlay, he accompanied his Minister and the then Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, to the Coronation of King George V and the Imperial Conference in 1911. He was honoured with the.C.B.E. in 1938.

He leaves a. wife and four sons, Kenneth ("Evening Post" Parliamentary representative), Maurice (at present a physical instructor in the R.N.Z.A.F. " in New Zealand, Elgin Ronald, of Wellington, andGresley, a member of the N.Z.E.F. in Italy). .There are four grandchildren. Mr. Poulton's mother died sortie months ago. .

Loyal, efficient, courteous in the highest-degree, Mr. Poulton was a perfect representative of the secretarial corps that has built up a reputation in service to successive Governments* over the past half-century. Those who know the Public Service of New Zealand speak highly of its capability and traditions, and they agree that in no branch is its capacity and trustworthiness more evident than in the Ministerial secretarial staffs. Mr. Poulton was that tradition personified. In a long career he worked with Liberal, Reform, Coalition, and Labour Ministers, and to all of them he gave equal loyal service.. He may have had political opinions, but they were never revealed; rather he was a man of principles, principles and personality. Ministers recognised this, trusted him absolutely, and profited accordingly from his wide experience and honest' advice. His loyalty was of that fine type that men in responsible positions learn to value—the loyalty that can speak frankly and not render mere unquestioning service. This frankness was also a characteristic of Mr. Poul-ton's-relations with the people. He preserved inviolate the highest standard of confidence, but combined with this an intelligent discretion that must often have smoothed the way for his Ministers. •

Though- he had been for so long a private secretary, Mr. Poulton, to the end of his life, retained the .qualities acquired in an early training in journalism. At heart he was always a Dournalist, with a keen sense of what was news, a gift for apt phrase and clear expression, and an understanding of the problems of journalists. The writer's first meeting with him was when he was sent to interview the Minister of, Justice (then the Hon. A L Herdman); Mr. Gresley • Lukin, then Editor of "The Post," said: "Teddy Poulton's his secretary. He's one of my boys, and he will arrange everything," And he did so. For Mr. Lukin Mr. Poulton on his side, had a feeling of admiration and affection. Though barred by his occupation from excursions into journalism on the news side Mr.. Poulton found great pleasure in writing, and many little sketches and stories have appeared under the penname of "Pouritana." They were marked by a kindly humour and lightness of touch, and spoke of the character of the author—sympathetic human, understanding, young in heart It was the youthfulness of spirit that Jed ad who knew him well to think of urn as "Teddy"—a youthfulness marked by optimism,, a cheerfulness "*£er 'borne clown by hard work or difficulties, .and a deep courage that was- unshaken by accident, pain or illness.

The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, and will be of a pmvate nature, except for the. service at the Kent Terrace chapel at 2.30 p.m.